| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Wrong Box by Stevenson & Osbourne: of a poor devil of a country gentleman. Suppose we start one of
those tontine affairs ourselves; I to pay five hundred a year,
and you to guarantee me against every misfortune except illness
or marriage.'
'It strikes me,' remarked the lawyer with a meditative laugh, as
he lighted a cigar, 'it strikes me that you must be a cursed
nuisance in this world of ours.'
'Do you really think so, Finsbury?' responded the magistrate,
leaning back in his cushions, delighted with the compliment.
'Yes, I suppose I am a nuisance. But, mind you, I have a stake in
the country: don't forget that, dear boy.'
|
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Four Arthurian Romances by Chretien DeTroyes: in his mind. She greets him at the entrance of the tent, and
strives to make him welcome, well knowing for what purpose he has
come. Desirous of according him a favour, she beckons Soredamors
to join them, and they three engage in conversation at some
distance from the rest. The Queen first speaks, in whose mind
there was no doubt that this couple were in love. Of this fact
she is quite sure, and is persuaded moreover that Soredamors
could not have a better lover. She took her place between the
two and began to say what was appropriate.
(Vv. 2279-2310.) "Alexander," says the Queen, "any love is worse
than hate, when it torments and distresses its devotee. Lovers
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry: which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House.
Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?
Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves
to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our
petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and
darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and
reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that
force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves,
sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to
which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if
its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other
|
